Soil scientists helping local growers

On Monday morning, soil scientist Dr Kawabe and his daughter Ottilie who is also a soil scientist, visited the property of Tony Brown to do a field visit and take a soil sample for testing in a laboratory in the USA.
Brown spoke to the Times on Friday. The USA was chosen said Brown due to the ease of entry requirements. Entry however is eased only to certified and registered soil scientists and Dr Kawabe is such a scientist. Dr Kawabe has conducted projects around the world including New Zealand, New South Wales, Japan and Europe.
Brown is a member of the Titikaveka Growers Association (TGA) and other members of TGA were present. Brown reports they were overwhelmed to be sponsoring and hosting a soil scientist for their respective farms. He said the testing of soils is highly essential to assess the existence or non-existence of elements, trace and micro.
Based on the soil test results the revitalizing of the soil conditions will be undertaken through biological measures such as composting, organic matter and biological fertilizers.
TGA hosted Clive Sinclair of Bio Fert NZ three weeks ago to learn of his own commercial operations in manufacturing key biological fertilizers to assist the natural balancing of the soil.
Mr Sinclair who is married to a Cook Islander, has been successful in soil rehabilitation all around NZ and this linkage with TGA has not only been forged by goodwill but also by patriotism.
Elizabeth Foster, a Cook Islander, of Titikaveka is a Microbiologist and science teacher at Tereora College. She has also been seconded to TGA to be the local counter part in respect of the technical requirements of the growers’ soil.

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